 03 America won't start
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 111
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OP
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Posts: 111 |
My bike has unfortunately been sitting for a while and now it won't start. I added a new battery, some fresh fuel, and checked the spark plugs. It kicked over and ran for a few minutes, but ended up dying. After that it won't start. Starter works and all lights are on. Any ideas of what to check?
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
Float level and fuel filter to start with. Since it was sitting also make sure mud wasps have not clogged the breathers.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,483 Likes: 6
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,483 Likes: 6 |
Choke the carb and turn it over for a little while,stop and pull the plugs, they should smell like gas or be wet. If not, I would shut the petcock off, drain the float bowls and inspect whats coming out. Turn the petcock on leaving the float bowls drain open and check the flow. I would either spike the gas tank with Sea Foam or drop the bowls and add Sea Foam to the bowls, reinstall and leave for a day or two to see if it will loosen up anything. 
'04' Black America
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Drain your float chambers and see if they fill back up.
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8 |
The fuel filter Ian is mentioning is hidden. It sits right inside the "T" fitting between the carbs. TECH VAULT has a picture of it 7th post down by BENNYBMN.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 111
Adjunct
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 111 |
Hmmmmm....drained the bowls and it doesn't seem like they're filling up again. On to the next step.
Al
DFW, TX
'03 Triumph America
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 146
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 146 |
Whenever I have an engine that cranks but won't start I use a spray of engine starting fluid in the carb or air filter. If it sputters or starts and runs for a second or two then I know the problem is fuel related.
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Sounds like either the petcock screen, the hidden filter, or the the inline filter, if you have one.
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Could also be that the float valves are stuck closed or the fuel line blocked...
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
Maybe aliens are stealing your fuel before it can make it to the carbs! 
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,072 Likes: 80
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,072 Likes: 80 |
Quote:
Maybe aliens are stealing your fuel before it can make it to the carbs!
Whoa! that happens there too? I hate theivin' aliens..
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 111
Adjunct
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 111 |
Al
DFW, TX
'03 Triumph America
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 111
Adjunct
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 111 |
Drained all the fuel out and it all looks good. Must be the carb floats stuck. On to them next.
Al
DFW, TX
'03 Triumph America
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8 |
Watch those screws holding the float bowl. They strip easily stock. You might want to switch them to allen head type available from Fast Eddy.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
I changed mine to stainless allen head screws. Before removing the bowls drain them then open the petcock and see if you get fuel, if you do then the floats are opening.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 111
Adjunct
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 111 |
I already drained the bowls and waited to see if they would fill up again. No go on the bowls filling up again. The fuel line from the tank to the carbs and filter were clear. The only thing I can think of is maybe the float bowls are stuck not allowing fuel into the bowls. I plan on removing the carbs and cleaning them then reassemble and test them. I'm checking with my local dealer now to see if they carry the stainless socket head cap screws.
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Quote:
I already drained the bowls and waited to see if they would fill up again. No go on the bowls filling up again. The fuel line from the tank to the carbs and filter were clear. The only thing I can think of is maybe the float bowls are stuck not allowing fuel into the bowls. I plan on removing the carbs and cleaning them then reassemble and test them. I'm checking with my local dealer now to see if they carry the stainless socket head cap screws.
Send me your home address, I bought a gross of stainless cap screws for a little more than some outfits charge for a set. They will mail for under a dollar, so send me that addy. BTW, if you want washers, I'm all out, so off you go to Ace Hardware, if you want them too.
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 374
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2014
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Now them darn Illegal Aliens are getting to the Motorcycle world and causing problems, Vote for me and together we will take care of that problem right away. Regards,Donald T.
Tin Man 2
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
Chances of both floats at the same time not working are slim, not impossible but slim.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 03 America won't start
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 111
Adjunct
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 111 |
Does anyone know what size the screws are for the bowls? I've found some here too but I'd like to know the sizes to get. http://www.newbonneville.com/html/carb_screw_kit.html
Al
DFW, TX
'03 Triumph America
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